I finally decided to get rid of my Dura Ace crankset and get a SRAM crankset to match the rest of the SRAM drivetain (Force derailleurs with SRAM carbon TT shifters) on my TT bike. The question is whether to go with Red or Force. From what I can tell, there’s not much difference between the cranks except for weight and cosmetics (and price). I would be adding the SRAM TT chainring to go 54t.
Is there a huge advantage to Red over the Force crankset? I’m also a little concerned that SRAM says you have to use one of their chains with the Red crankset. I’ve had great luck with the Wipperman chains and like being able to remove them for cleaning.
There are some great deals on Force cranks right now, which is why I’m leaning that way.
Thanks for the advice!
-Pete
BTW, the main reason for the switch is getting hounded by teammates on SRAM-sponsored team…
I was handed a Red crankset to try and had never heard of the chain thing until just now. I used a Shimano 105 chain (all I had) with the crankset for quite some time without an issue.
FWIW, I have a mix Force/Red build on my road bike. I’m running Force cranks with Red shifters and derailleurs, GXP BB w/ceramic bearings, Force brakes and cassette. Works great.
Competitive cyclist says that the Force crank is 662g and the Red crank is 652g, so the weight diff is negligible.
I went this route primarily for the cost savings…it put a couple hundred bucks in my pocket that I could spend elsewhere.
I’m running a SRAM chain so I can’t speak to whether or not another chain would work. I have heard of folks running Dura-Ace chains to make the drivetrain a bit quieter.
you can use the wipperman connection with any 10 speed chain. look on ebay, the red is not that much more expensive than the force. to me, force is a waste. it isn’t that much lighter than rival and costs a lot more.
you can use the wipperman connection with any 10 speed chain. look on ebay, the red is not that much more expensive than the force. to me, force is a waste. it isn’t that much lighter than rival and costs a lot more.
so whats the point to go to Red from Rival then?! A few grams and a lot of $…sounds like bling factor to me. I haven’t used a SRAM crank so I dont have firsthand experience.
I finally decided to get rid of my Dura Ace crankset and get a SRAM crankset to match the rest of the SRAM drivetain (Force derailleurs with SRAM carbon TT shifters) on my TT bike. The question is whether to go with Red or Force. From what I can tell, there’s not much difference between the cranks except for weight and cosmetics (and price). I would be adding the SRAM TT chainring to go 54t.
Is there a huge advantage to Red over the Force crankset? I’m also a little concerned that SRAM says you have to use one of their chains with the Red crankset. I’ve had great luck with the Wipperman chains and like being able to remove them for cleaning.
There are some great deals on Force cranks right now, which is why I’m leaning that way.
Thanks for the advice!
-Pete
BTW, the main reason for the switch is getting hounded by teammates on SRAM-sponsored team…
I have had both on my tri bike and can say that there is no noticeable difference in stiffness or shifting performance. Weight is basically a wash and function is transparant between the ewo so it somes down to cost and looks. Oh, and I have used both Shimano Dura-Ace and Wipperman chains and still am using both on my two bikes with the SRAM cranks and find performance to be flawless either way.
70 grams is not a wash to everyone and the red crank will match the sweet red time trial chainring
you can get them for like $200 on ebay so I don’t think it is a bad deal myself
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Thats my point, on ebay the red cranks are slightly more expensive than the force. i think it is worth the extra cash for the weight savings and the bling
If you do the research, I believe the 10 speed Powerlink is not supposed to be removed. SRAM recommends to break the chain at a pin with a chain tool, not at the Powerlock, then use another Powerlock when you replace the chain. That’s not saying you can’t do it, just not recommended.
BTW, the main reason for the switch is getting hounded by teammates on SRAM-sponsored team…
If you have to pay for it then that’s not really a “sponsorship.” If that’s the main reason you are switching I would keep the DA crank, maybe get the SRAM TT chainring for effect. I went to a full Red group on my road bike last year but I kept the DA crank because it is way better than any of the SRAM cranks. I think the weight is abou the same all said and done but it spins way smoother (with $8 Enduro non-ceramic bearing upgrade) than the SRAMs (even with the ceramic bb), and the q-factor is much narrower (not an issue for some people).
If you do the research, I believe the 10 speed Powerlink is not supposed to be removed. SRAM recommends to break the chain at a pin with a chain tool, not at the Powerlock, then use another Powerlock when you replace the chain. That’s not saying you can’t do it, just not recommended.
Bingo!
And, even the re-useable SRAM PowerLinks do not work as nicely as the Wipperman Connex links, IME. (They’re a pain in the @$$, and generally require a pair of needle-nose pliers to “pinch” the plates for removal.)
